Patriots
Jones dedicated three turnovers within the Patriots’ blowout loss to the Cowboys final week.
Mac Jones has been underneath scrutiny all week following his brutal efficiency within the Patriots’ Week 4 loss to the Cowboys.
The Patriots quarterback threw for 150 yards with two interceptions and a misplaced fumble, with two of these turnovers leading to defensive scores for the Cowboys in a 38-3 blowout. Within the days following the loss, Jones has been criticized by media members and Patriots icons alike, pointing to him because the particular person most in charge for his or her 1-3 begin to the season.
Jones remains to be the Patriots’ beginning quarterback although, with Invoice Belichick indicating all through the week that was the case. However the stress on him to achieve Week 5 in opposition to the Saints will definitely be dialed up a notch.
Belichick indicated an indication of confidence in Jones’ means to bounce again when requested what he’s seen from him up to now following not-so-good performances.
“Anyone who performs or coaches on this league has not-so-good performances someplace alongside the road,” Belichick informed reporters on Friday. “So, a part of the job, a part of the scenario, each week’s a brand new week. Mac’s fairly mentally powerful. So is everyone else round right here. I imply, it’s a must to be on this league.
Along with Jones receiving blame for the Patriots’ 1-3 begin, a lot of the dialogue surrounding New England this week questioned if Jones must be the beginning quarterback for the staff transferring ahead.
Whereas Belichick has implied that Jones would be the Patriots’ beginning quarterback, he signaled that he or anybody else who continues to battle will probably lose their jobs.
“If it simply goes from dangerous to worse, you then’re not going to be round very lengthy,” Belichick mentioned. “All of us get knocked down, obtained to stand up and return within the ring.”
The 2023 season was extensively considered as a significant one for Jones and his long-term future with the Patriots. Following a strong rookie season, Jones struggled in 12 months 2, throwing for two,997 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 14 video games because the Patriots went 8-9.
Jones appeared to have some vibrant spots within the first three video games of the season. Despite the fact that the Patriots had been 1-2 in that stretch, Jones ranked within the prime 10 in passing yards and touchdowns coming into Week 4 as he helped New England stay shut in losses to a pair of contenders.
However after the loss to Dallas, Jones’ effectivity stats have cratered. His completion proportion (63.7), yards per try (6.2), and passer score (80.8) are all at the moment at profession lows.
If Jones continues to place a career-low tempo in a number of areas, he might get benched. The Patriots at the moment have two backups on the roster, Bailey Zappe and Will Grier. Whereas Belichick referred to as Grier “sharp” and “athletic” with a “good arm,” he shared that Zappe remains to be the first backup as Grier simply signed with the staff two weeks in the past.
“I feel we simply take it week by week right here, and I feel earlier than you’ll be able to actually, realistically, get in there and play, you’ve obtained to have a reasonably good command and understanding of the offense, play calling, have the ability to let the opposite 10 folks do their jobs,” Belichick mentioned when requested if Grier is competing with Zappe. “However, once more, Will’s sharp and he’s selecting issues up fairly shortly. I imply, if we had an emergency and we needed to put him in there, I feel, yeah, we might attempt to get him prepared.
“However, I imply, the opposite two guys are simply additional alongside at this level.”
Join Patriots updates
Get breaking information and evaluation delivered to your inbox throughout soccer season.